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15 August 2009

East Timor Land Network: Women Left Out Of Consultation on Draft Land Law

Ainaro District: Only one woman gets to speak on draft Land Law 13 August, 2009 - On 30th July the Minister of Justice led a public meeting on the draft Land Law in Ainaro. The Land Network’s monitoring reveals that only 1 female participant spoke in the Ainaro public consultation.

Jenito Santana from the Land Network observes that the government’s public consultation is closing the door to women across all districts. "What we see so far is that at most 6 female participants get the chance to speak at government meetings on the draft Land Law in the districts. This was even the case in Manatuto where the matrilineal system means that many women are landowners."

"In Baucau, a district with a population of about 110,000 people, only 2 women had the opportunity to ask a question or make a comment. That’s one voice for about 25,000 women…"

In June the Land Network identified a list of measures to facilitate women, and other vulnerable groups, to contribute to the public consultation. So far many of these measures are not met. "We want women, as well as broad range of members of the community to provide their ideas and thoughts into this draft Land Law. We want to see a law that best considers the needs and situation of all people in Timor-Leste."

It is not just women who are left out. Jenito also notes that young people’s attendance at meetings is very low and few get the chance to speak.

"Communities need time to digest the draft Land Law. To understand it, discuss it and share their ideas. We hope the Minister will follow through on her promise to extend the public consultation process, particularly to allow women, vulnerable people and people in rural areas to have their say."

Participants had 60 minutes to speak at the Ainaro consultation. They spoke about:

· land occupations

· the importance of traditional land tenure

· the compatibility of women’s land rights with local culture

· land ownership disputes between the State and the community (via article 26)

· how taxes would effect poor people

· how the government would implement making false statements as a crime.